The womb. [1913 Webster]
"All that openeth the matrix is mine." [1913 Webster]
That which gives form or origin to anything [1913 Webster]
The lifeless portion of tissue, either animal or vegetable, situated between the cells; the intercellular substance. [1913 Webster]
A rectangular arrangement of symbols in rows and columns. The symbols may express quantities or operations. [1913 Webster]

top

OXFORD DICTIONARY

matrix, n. (pl. matrices or matrixes)
1 a mould in which a thing is cast or shaped, such as a gramophone record, printing type, etc.
2 a an environment or substance in which a thing is developed. b a womb.
3 a mass of fine-grained rock in which gems, fossils, etc., are embedded.
4 Math. a rectangular array of elements in rows and columns that is treated as a single element.
5 Biol. the substance between cells or in which structures are embedded.
6 Computing a gridlike array of interconnected circuit elements.

Idiom

matrix printer = dot matrix printer (see DOT(1)).

Etymology

L, = breeding-female, womb, register f. mater matris mother

top

THESAURUS

matrix

Platonic form, Platonic idea, aesthetic form, archetype, art form, build, cast, chimney, chute, configuration, conformation, country rock, cut, deposit, die, dike, fashion, figuration, figure, form, format, formation, frame, gangue, genre, impression, inner form, intaglio, last, layout, lode, lodestuff, make, makeup, mineral deposit, mint, modality, mode, model, mold, negative, ore bed, pattern, pay dirt, prototype, punch, seal, set, shape, shoe last, shoot, significant form, stamp, stock, structure, style, template, turn, type, uterus, vein, venter, womb

top

ROGET THESAURUS

matrix

Printing

N printing, block printing, type-printing, plate printing, (engraving), the press, composition, print, letterpress, text, context, note, page, column, typography, stereotype, electrotype, aprotype, type, black letter, font, fount, pi, pie, capitals, brevier, bourgeois, pica boldface, capitals, caps, catchword, composing-frame, composing room, composing rule, composing stand, composing stick, italics, justification, linotype, live matter, logotype, lower case, upper case, make-up, matrix, matter, monotype, 4-1/2 point, 5 point, 5-1/2 point, 6 point, 7 point, 8 point, press room, press work, reglet, roman, running head, running title, scale, serif, shank, sheet work, shoulder, signature, slug, underlay, folio, copy, impression, pull, proof, revise, author's proof, galley proof, press proof, press revise, printer, compositor, reader, printer's devil copyholder, printed, in type, typographical, solid in galleys.

Prototype

N prototype, original, model, pattern, precedent, standard, ideal, reference, scantling, type, archetype, antitype, protoplast, module, exemplar, example, ensample, paradigm, lay-figure, text, copy, design, fugleman, keynote, die, mold, matrix, last, plasm, proplasm, protoplasm, mint, seal, punch, intaglio, negative, stamp, a precedent embalms a principle, exempla sunt odiosa.

Workshop

N workshop, workhouse, workplace, shop, place of business, manufactory, mill, plant, works, factory, cabinet, studio, office, branch office bureau, atelier, hive, hive of industry, nursery, hothouse, hotbed, kitchen, mint, forge, loom, dock, dockyard, alveary, armory, laboratory, lab, research institute, refinery, cannery, power plant, beauty parlor, beehive, bindery, forcing pit, nailery, usine, slip, yard, wharf, foundry, foundery, furnace, vineyard, crucible, alembic, caldron, matrix, at work, at the office, at the shop, working.

For further exploring for "matrix" in Webster Dictionary Online